In this Western tragedy about legacy and love, a notorious outlaw risks everything on one last stagecoach robbery to give his young daughter a home — ultimately forcing a choice between her future and his own survival.

SYNOPSIS:

"True Grit" meets "The Road"

Tom Burroughs, a notorious outlaw, and his six-year-old daughter, Alice, wake up at their desert camp. Despite his fearsome reputation, Tom’s love for Alice is evident as he carefully tends to her, even saving her from a rattlesnake with swift precision. Older Alice's voice-over reveals a different perspective of her father than the one held by the world: Tom is not just a bank robber and killer but is also a loving father.

As Tom and Alice approach the mining town of Prescott, they encounter the Martin brothers, Jack and Will, waiting for them. Jack’s easygoing nature contrasts with Will’s surly demeanor. Tom hides Alice in a stand of pine trees and then rides into town, along with Jack and Will, to rob the stagecoach carrying the mine payroll.

In a saloon, Tom and the brothers plan their heist. Tom’s interactions with the bartender, Henry, and a silent observer, Cole, hint at underlying tensions and the ever-present threat of violence. As the stagecoach arrives, the gang moves into action. Tom and Will hold the driver and guard at gunpoint, while Jack blasts the lock off the strongbox, revealing a cache of cash.

Chaos erupts when the guard seizes a chance to shoot Will, leading to a deadly shootout. Will and the guard both die, and Tom is wounded by the driver. Jack is killed by Henry, who is then shot by Tom in retaliation. Amid the confusion, Tom manages to escape and rides to where he left Alice. A posse quickly forms to pursue them.

Tom, severely injured, rides with Alice into the desert. As the posse gains ground, led by Cole, Tom realizes he can’t outrun them. He stops, surrendering to protect Alice. The posse surrounds them, and Tom’s fierce protectiveness flares when one man tries to rough up a crying Alice. Cole intervenes, gently taking Alice and assuring Tom of her safety.

Tom is jailed in Prescott, and Alice watches, resilient yet heartbroken. Tom, clinging to a wooden bear Jack carved for Alice, shares a final tender moment with her through the jail window. A week later, Tom is led to the gallows. He confronts the hostile crowd with defiance but softens when he sees Alice with Cole and Sarah, who offer her a new life.

In a poignant farewell, Tom kneels to embrace Alice, urging her to walk away and not look back. Alice, now under Cole and Sarah’s care, leaves with a mixture of hope and sorrow. Tom ascends the gallows, his final moments marked by the sight of Alice being carried away, symbolizing her fresh start.

The film closes on a somber note with a light rain falling on the empty gallows. The camera zooms in on the small wooden bear lying forgotten in the mud, a silent testament to Tom’s love and the sacrifices made for his daughter. Alice returns to pick up the bear, symbolizing her resilience and the enduring love of her father. The story ends on a note of hope, with Alice walking away from her past into a future filled with promise.

13 STEPS